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53
On 15th November, 1939, some of the schools in the Borough
were re-opened ; and it was found possible to commence inspection
of the non-evacuated children in those schools that had not had a
dental inspection earlier in the year. Acceptances for dental
treatment came in rapidly, and until the end of the year almost
full numbers were seen at the various sessions. Thus it will be
seen that, in spite of the general upheaval, it has been possible to
accomplish a considerable amount of dental work.
Reception Area.
Turning our attention to the dental treatment of Leyton
children evacuated to the County of Essex, we came across many
difficulties which, although foreign to us in an Urban area, are
nevertheless often found in County dental schemes.
Firstly, one must realise that children in county areas are
usually scattered over great distances, and that a dental officer
can visit an area probably only once during the year. Any children
not treated during the period of this visit must repair to a local
practitioner for the relief of pain, or even travel to some nearby
town to obtain treatment. Secondly, it sometimes happens that
children from some small village school must make a bus journey
to attend a dental clinic being held in a school in some other village,
or small town. This, in a time of reduced bus services in rural
areas, in bad weather, and in the absence of parents, with consequent
reliance on voluntary help, all make added and sometimes insuperable
difficulties in the way of children obtaining treatment.
Again, some parents who in the past have always accepted
treatment for their children when in Leyton, have declined to have
them treated away from the Borough and in their absence.